Albums for ALL metal fans

[ProgMetalFan]

Lots of people dislike Evergrey and Symphony X. I even hate Evergrey even though i love prog rock/metal. And i think that a non - prog fan would mostly dislike Symphony X

I can definately see why some metal fans would not like most of Symphony X's work... but I think "The Odyssey" (while not being my favorite) branched into a direction that really appeals to a lot of people that previously didn't like the band.

As for Evergrey's "In Search of Truth"... I really don't see how any metal fan could not appreciate the endless amount of great riffs on that album... though I'm sure you have some reason why this savage metal onslaught does not appeal to you.

 

[JayKeeley]

i think that a non - prog fan would mostly dislike Symphony X

Nah, I don't agree. Symphony X bring classical music, 70's classic rock, and movie soundtrack stuff into their albums, which I think has a wide appeal. I bet most here would listen to "The Odyssey", or perhaps "Communion and the Oracle", and appreciate all the orchestration and atmosphere involved.

Non-prog fans would dislike acts like Dream Theater or Zero Hour.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Nah, I don't agree. Symphony X bring classical music, 70's classic rock, and movie soundtrack stuff into their albums, which I think has a wide appeal.

You're right on... Symphony X definately transcends the prog-metal box. I can hear a lot of Kansas in some of their choruses. And Russell Allen is just a vocal powerhouse... I think his soulful and versatile voice goes a long way towards attracting a diverse audience.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

I'm sure you have some reason why this savage metal onslaught does not appeal to you.

Evergrey = savage metal onslaught?
alright
Do a favour to yourself and buy/download the album "Haptephobic" of Sore Plexus. Thats a "savage metal onslaught" in a prog metal album. And Watchtower of course. Hell...Watchtower define all the "endless amount of riffs - savage metal onslaught" thing. And Evergrey are on the opposite side.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Symphony X bring classical music, 70's classic rock, and movie soundtrack stuff into their albums, which I think has a wide appeal

A wide appeal to prog fans. I cant see why it would appeal to a fan of traditional thrash metal, or death metal, or doom metal

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Evergrey = savage metal onslaught?
alright
Do a favour to yourself and buy/download the album "Haptephobic" of Sore Plexus. Thats a "savage metal onslaught" in a prog metal album. And Watchtower of course. Hell...Watchtower define all the "endless amount of riffs - savage metal onslaught" thing. And Evergrey are on the opposite side.

We have a lot of similar tastes... and a lot of opposite tastes... Evergrey is one of my favorite bands... and I can see how some metal fans would not like other albums by them... but with "In Search of Truth" I think they acheived a sound that just can't be denied. I'll just leave it at that... I realize everyone values different things in the music they listen to.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

A wide appeal to prog fans. I cant see why it would appeal to a fan of traditional thrash metal, or death metal, or doom metal

I can... Michael Romeo can unleash some pretty thrashy riffs. As for the doom metal fan... whatever.

 

[NAD]

Personally I can't stand prog metal, it's just really not my thing. Every so often I'll dig on some, but it's like power metal to me in that one album in my collection is more than enough.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

The thing is that most fans (i think) judge by the band's feeling. And Symphony X (who i like very very much) have the feeling that a thrash/death metal fan would consider "cheesy". Thats why i think generally there is not an album for all fans.
Except Black Sabbath that J said

 

[JayKeeley]

A wide appeal to prog fans. I cant see why it would appeal to a fan of traditional thrash metal, or death metal, or doom metal

Well, classical music should appeal to pretty much everyone. Thrash acts like Testament (or at least, guitarists like Alex Skolnick) would be no where without classical music.

Death metal fans would probably like the stuff Dan Swano is involved in, which I guess could be the half way line to a band like Symphony X.

Doom metal? I'm not sure if there is much traditional doom out there that doesn't have a slight wink or nod towards 70's classic rock.

It's all about music appreciation - I think an open minded metal fan would appreciate it all.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

I don't think any of the albums I listed are truly prog-metal. Prog-metal is stuff like Zero Hour, Pain of Salvation, Fates Warning, Sore Plexus, Wolverine, etc. This kind of stuff, while great in my opinion... has limited appeal.

Evergrey is just a metal band... they get the prog label sometimes just because they're on InsideOut and happen to be very technical musicians who create melodic metal music.

Symphony X is often seen as the prototypical prog-metal band by many... but as JayKeeley stated... they are much more than just prog-metal... and they have a warmth and versatility in their music should appeal to most fans of metal.

 

[JayKeeley]

Personally I can't stand prog metal, it's just really not my thing. Every so often I'll dig on some, but it's like power metal to me in that one album in my collection is more than enough.

Well, you know where I stand for the most part - I avoid most of it too. However, don't say no to a CD-R or two.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Doom metal? I'm not sure if there is much traditional doom out there that doesn't have a slight wink or nod towards 70's classic rock.

That's an interesting way to make a link between doom metal and Symphony X.

I think invoking a certain comfortable aura from the classic music of the 70's and 80's (without sounding dated and stale) really helps an album establish a wide appeal.

 

[NAD]

@ProgMetalFan: Yeah I'm no expert on the distinctions of prog metal, obviously.

I can respect a lot of prog metal bands though, many of them are highly talented musicians. My issue is that emotion can be overlooked in the process of doing some wacky scale, which is fine for some but not for me.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Actually many many many prog metal bands have emotional overdose as their highlight

 

[NAD]

I know. I changed my post to emotion CAN BE overlooked, not is overlooked.

 

[JayKeeley]

NAD - you need to hear Symphony X's "V: The Mythology Suite". I actually think "The Odyssey" would be too straightforward for you.

Just leave it to me and my magical CD-R mystery machine.

 

[NAD]

I do what I'm told.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Doom metal? I'm not sure if there is much traditional doom out there that doesn't have a slight wink or nod towards 70's classic rock.

Well there is a difference in this way: Doom metal has influences from Black Sabbath, and early Pentagram. I cant see Black Sabbath or early Pentagram in Symphony X.
70s prog rock is different from 70s doom rock. Sometimes a lot different

 

[jimbobhickville]

I like some prog, but I found Evergrey to be pretty boring when I downloaded it last year. Just seemed like some mediocre melodic metal. Maybe I'll give it another shot sometime.

As for Symphony X, V is easily their best, but I only listen to it on rare occasions, when I have a hankering for some cheese. Odyssey would be better if the drums didn't sound so bad on it. Why can't very many producers actually get cymbals right nowadays? They didn't have problems 10 years ago. Now they sound all sloppy and washed out more often than not.